The Basingstoke Buffalo recorded their biggest away win of the season in their final match before the play-offs, writes Graham Merry.

The Herd dealt out a 12-1 thrashing on the Lee Valley Lions, which was the perfect warm-up for a quarter-final clash with the Bristol Pitbulls this weekend.

The first game is in Basingstoke on Saturday, March 30, with the earlier face-off time of 4.30pm with the return in Bristol on Sunday, March 31 (4.15pm).

When these sides last went head-to-head, the Pitbulls won in Basingstoke 5-4, while the Buffalo recorded a 5-2 victory in Bristol.

So a repeat performance for the Buffs would set up a semi-final showdown at Alexandra Palace against either the Guildford Phoenix or Solent Devils on Saturday, April 6, which has a 10.30am face-off.

Last Saturday in the Buffalo’s final league outing in Lee Valley, man of the match Paul Petts opened the Buffs account in the third minute.

Further goals followed from Adam Jones, Hallam Wilson and Harry Harcup which made it 4-0 by 16:37.

In the final minute of the first period, the Lions scored their only goal of the game from Matt Brown.

The second session saw Alex Sampford net the Herd’s fifth shorthanded with a lovely back hand finish.

Then Harcup made it 6-1 just two seconds before the second period buzzer.

The final 20 minutes belonged to the visitors as they scored six unanswered goals.

Xander Robinson netted the first followed by Petts which was assisted by Freddie Stephens and Sampford.

Goal number nine saw Harcup and Scott Anda combine for Cam Buckle to slot home.

Sampford then took the score into double figures and captain Sam Compton then netted number 11, which was his first of the season.

The final Herd’s goal came with just seconds left as defencemen Tom Banner and Compton set-up Petts to complete his hat-trick on the night.

The 12-1 victory for the Buffalo secured fourth spot in the South Two table, just one point behind third placed Peterborough and three back from Haringey in second.

Guildford Phoenix were the South 2 champions being beaten just once in their 22 league games.